The book presents the history of our great nation from the earliest times to the 7th century AD when the last of the Hindu emperors, Harshavardhana, ruled over a major part of India. The author has presented the chequered history in a brief manner, and with meticulous regard to authenticity of facts. He has deftly touched upon differing views on controversial matters pinpointing the most likely scenario in an objective manner.

The book meets the long-felt need of a nationalist, yet independent, appraisal of our past in a concise manner. It avoids the preconceived notions of foreign historians and their blind followers, at the same time without attempting undue glorification of the past.

The book is certainly a laudable attempt to bring our glorious heritage alive!

Book Content

Contents

Introduction

The Early Aryans

The Aryan Expansion

The Epic Age

The Mahajanapadas and Dawn of Buddhism and Jainism

The Early Foreign Invasions

The Mauryan Dynasty

The Rise of Shunga and Kanva Dynasties and Brahmanical Revival

The Chain of Fresh Foreign Invasions

The Satavahanas and Chedis

The Kushana Dynasty and the Pre-Gupta Era

The Rule of the Imperial Guptas

The Vakataka Dynasty

The Golden Era of Indian History

The Age of Fragmentation - Pre-Harsha Period

The Vardhana Dynasty and Harshavardhana - the last Hindu Emperor

Appendix I : Indo-Aryans in the Middle East

Appendix II : The Evolution of Buddhist Sculpture in India and Brahmanical Influence on the Same